Equities Changes in Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 9,017,326	$ 8,819,173
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates	12,221	7,726
Redemptions of equities	(12,221)	(7,726)
Preferred stock dividends	(84,334)	(84,334)
Other, net	(518)	(8,661)
Net income (loss)	451,943	69,369
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc.	451,961	69,671
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18)	(302)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(15,418)	8,917
Estimated 2021 cash patronage refunds	(39,691)	(9,304)
Estimated 2021 equity redemptions	(79,382)	(9,304)
Ending Balance	9,249,926	8,785,856
Capital equity certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	3,583,911	3,724,187
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates	12,221	7,726
Redemptions of equities	(9,824)	(6,539)
Other, net	(1,023)	(654)
Estimated 2021 equity redemptions	(79,382)	(9,304)
Ending Balance	3,505,903	3,715,416
Nonpatronage Equity Certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	28,431	28,727
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates	0	0
Redemptions of equities	(318)	(31)
Other, net	17	(47)
Ending Balance	28,130	28,649
Non-qualified Equity Certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,634,896	1,408,696
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates	0	0
Redemptions of equities	(2,079)	(1,156)
Other, net	(64)	(197)
Ending Balance	1,632,753	1,407,343
Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	2,264,038	2,264,038
Redemptions of equities	0	0
Ending Balance	2,264,038	2,264,038
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(216,391)	(233,924)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(15,418)	8,917
Ending Balance	(231,809)	(225,007)
Capital Reserves [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,713,976	1,618,147
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates	0	0
Preferred stock dividends	(84,334)	(84,334)
Other, net	1,393	(7,798)
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc.	451,961	69,671
Estimated 2021 cash patronage refunds	(39,691)	(9,304)
Ending Balance	2,043,305	1,586,382
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	8,465	9,302
Other, net	(841)	35
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18)	(302)
Ending Balance	$ 7,606	$ 9,035